New York Islanders confirm return of Lamoriello and Roy next season
The New York Islanders have confirmed that Lou Lamoriello will return as general manager and Patrick Roy as head coach next season. Lamoriello has been the president of hockey operations and general manager of the Islanders since the 2018-19 season. Roy was a mid-season replacement after Lane Lambert was fired earlier this year. The former NHL goalie has gotten the green light to coach the Islanders for at least one full season.
“I’m excited,” Lamoriello said to the media. “Next season started the next morning and that’s what we have been doing. As far as what transpired, I think a lot has happened. (It was an) extremely positive transition. I take full responsibility. I put Patrick in a very difficult situation. Coming in at the time he came in, the changes that are necessary to do things the right way, you don’t have a lot of time. … So I’m excited. Patrick knows that. I couldn’t be more pleased where we are today.”
This news comes at a somewhat surprising time. The offseason has barely started for the Islanders and no moves have been made yet since they were eliminated from the playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes in five games. The Islanders qualified for the playoffs with a record of 39-27-16 and 94 points in the standings. It was a race to the finish for the five Eastern Conference teams vying for the remaining two playoff spots. They had to beat out at three of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers to solidify their playoff berth.
The Islanders were 22nd in goals for, 18th in goals against, 19th on the power play, and 32nd on the penalty kill this season. Based on those numbers alone, this team should not have been anywhere near the playoffs come April. And yet, due to a mixture of opportunism and losing a lot of games in overtime as opposed to regulation, they found a way to get into the playoffs against all odds.
It will be interesting to see the direction Lamoriello and Roy take this team in with a big offseason ahead of them and an even bigger season.